Zakopane, Urban municipality in Tatra County, Poland
Zakopane is a municipality in Powiat Tatrzański that sits at the base of the Tatra range, marked by low wooden houses with steep roofs and carved gables in dark timber. Streets run between meadows and forested slopes, and in the center shops and restaurants stand beside chapels and older guesthouses.
The village began in the 17th century as a settlement of shepherds and smelting workers, then grew rapidly during the 19th century when the ironworks of the region drew laborers. In the 1870s doctors and artists from Kraków discovered its mountain air, and the settlement turned into a retreat for rest and winter sport.
The name comes from an old Polish root referring to hidden or sunken places, reflecting its location among mountains. Visitors often see locals wearing traditional wool coats and decorative belts, and the wooden churches along the streets show carved details made in family workshops.
Most visitors reach the municipality by train or bus and find lodgings along several parallel streets that run south toward the mountain slopes. In winter many paths turn icy, so sturdy footwear and warm clothing help, while summer months allow longer walks without heavy gear.
A cable car runs from the town center up to Kasprowy Wierch, offering a view that has drawn tourists since the 1930s along its route. During the ascent passengers often spot chamois on the rocks below the station platform.
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